The HSUS Advises Pet Owners to Keep Pets Cool during Heat Wave

Saturday

Jun 30, 2012 at 12:01 AMJun 30, 2012 at 3:01 AM

As much of the country experiences abnormally high temperatures, The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization, reminds pet owners to protect their animal companions. Heat stroke can be fatal for pets and every summer there are stories of tragic mistakes made by loving pet owners who underestimated the heat.

As much of the country experiences abnormally high temperatures, The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization, reminds pet owners to protect their animal companions. Heat stroke can be fatal for pets and every summer there are stories of tragic mistakes made by loving pet owners who underestimated the heat.
The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat advisories about the potentially dangerous combination of heat and humidity that’s gripping the Midwest and middle Atlantic regions including Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, the Washington, D.C. area and North Carolina.
“The extreme heat and humidity can be dangerous for people and pets,” said Laura Bevan, Eastern regional director for The HSUS. “The Humane Society of the United States urges pet owners to take some extra precautions for our furry friends during this heat wave.”
Never leave your pets in a parked car. Not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and the air conditioning on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85 degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die. If you see an animal in distress in a parked car, contact the nearest animal shelter or police.
Shade and water are a must. Anytime your pet is outside, make sure he or she has protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water. In heat waves, add ice to the water whenever possible. Tree shade and tarps are ideal because they don’t obstruct the air flow. A doghouse does not provide relief from heat—in fact, it makes it worse.
Limit exercise on hot days. Take care when exercising your pet. Adjust intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets who, because of their short noses, typically have difficulty breathing. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible.
Recognize the signs of heatstroke. In case of an emergency, it's important to be able to identify the symptoms of heat stress caused by exposure to extreme temperatures. When in doubt, contact your veterinarian immediately. Some signs of heatstroke are: heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, and unconsciousness. If the animal shows symptoms of heatstroke, take steps immediately to gradually lower the body temperature and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
If you fear your pet may be suffering heatstroke, following these tips could save his or her life:
Move the animal into the shade or an air-conditioned area.
Apply ice packs or cold towels the head, neck and chest or run cool (not cold) water over the body.
Let your pet drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes.
Take your pet directly to a veterinarian.
The HSUS also suggests the Keep Cool Mat as a good way to help keep your pet from overheating indoors or outdoors. It works by soaking the mat in cool water, and it will stay dry but cool for up to three days. The mat and other products to keep dogs safe and cool can be found at Humane Domain.
For more tips about caring for your pets during a heat wave, visit humanesociety.org/heatwave.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the Web at humanesociety.org.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.